Juaso (Ash), July 28, GNA - A combined military and forestry taskforce on Sunday impounded nine timber trucks loaded with logs without conveyance certificate at Juaso.

The trucks, together with the logs, had been conveyed to the Forestry Commission's depot in Kumasi.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency at Juaso on Monday, Mr Samuel Kyei, acting District Manager of the Forest Services Division, said the taskforce spotted some of the trucks parked at Bereku near Juaso. He said upon examination, it was detected that the trucks and logs which belonged to some reputable timber firms in Kumasi, had no conveyance certificate.

Mr Kyei said the detection heightened the suspicion of the taskforce, which mounted intensive checks on timber trucks carrying logs from the Asante-Akim South district, leading to the arrest of the other trucks.

Mr Kyei explained that owners of the trucks tried to take advantage of the absence of the substantive District Manager, who was bereaved, to dupe the nation of millions of cedis.

He gave the assurance that the taskforce would continue to work hard to reduce illegal logging and chainsaw operations, which was rampant in the district.